Buzz
Lee Gang-bin's coffee creations at C. Through in Seoul redefine the true essence of artistic expression in every cup.
Seoul's Coffee Oasis: Where Every Beverage is an Artistic Masterpiece
Using vibrant colored whipped cream in a technique he calls 'cream art,' Lee Gang-bin turns ordinary cups of coffee into extraordinary works of art. 'Coffee baristas usually stick to using only two colors, black and white. But I want to break that limitation. It helps me turn all my dreams into reality,' Lee says about C. Through's artistic creations.
The renowned coffee creations of the shop are reminiscent of famous paintings like Van Gogh's 'Starry Night,' Edward Munch's 'The Scream,' or Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa'… Additionally, Lee also receives numerous custom orders from customers, ranging from comic book characters to magazine covers or any requested images.
The price for each coffee artwork is 7,500 won (approximately 150,000 dong). Since creating these coffee paintings can take up to an hour, Lee only crafts three cups per day (advance reservation required). Of course, for simpler designs, Lee can complete them in a matter of seconds.
For Lee, a coffee may be visually stunning, but if it's not enjoyable, it's not worth making. Hence, he invests significant effort in coffee quality: 'I only create cups of coffee that are enjoyable to drink. That's why I only create cream art on iced coffee, as pouring cream on hot coffee would alter its flavor,' he explains.
Lee Gang-bin started learning cream art seven years before turning 18, also working as a barista. At that time, baristas were not well-known, but his passion drove him to pursue this career, not considering anything else. The support from his parents played a crucial role in his journey.
'After studying coffee, I realized that not only technique but also art can be applied to coffee brewing. While South Korea is renowned for its vibrant entertainment industry, coffee culture is less known. Many people see coffee as a simple beverage, but for me, it's a bridge connecting people.' Lee's coffee shop is so popular that he only gets a few hours of sleep each day.
By Bảo Khuê/Ngôi sao
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourDecember 29, 2017
